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| Peter Lewis holds dual bachelors of music degrees in Music Education and Music Performance (percussion) Cum Laude from Kent State University, Ohio. While at Kent State University, Mr. Lewis studied percussion with internationally acclaimed marimba soloist, and percussion pedagogue Michael Burritt. As a percussionist, Mr. Lewis has shared the stage with Bob Becker, Leigh Howard Stevens, Gordon Stout, and legendary jazz pianist, Hank Jones. During his studies at Kent, Mr. Lewis also honed his skills as an acoustic and electric bassist, performing with the Kent State University Jazz Ensemble and as a freelance jazz bassist in the Cleveland area. During an International Association of Jazz Educators (I.A.J.E.) concert series in 1996 in Cleveland, Mr. Lewis was presented with an Outstanding Musicianship Award for his performance on electric bass from jazz greats Stanley Cowell, Carl Allen, Benny Golson, and Curtis Fuller. Mr. Lewis has been fortunate to study with some of the most acclaimed bassists who greatly added to his development as a musician. Mark Henry – Boston Pops bassist and UMass Lowell faculty. Bruce Gertz – international recording artist and long-standing bass faculty at the Berklee School of Music. Kai Eckhardt de Carmargo – international recording artist formerly with John McLaughlin. As a composer, Mr. Lewis has composed primarily in the jazz medium, composing for jazz combos and jazz big bands. His compositions and arrangements have been played by central Massachusetts high schools and professional big bands including the Worcester Jazz Orchestra. As a music educator, Mr. Lewis has presented jazz clinics and master classes for beginning to advanced students in public schools in Ohio, New York and Massachusetts. Mr. Lewis has taught in the Fitchburg, Hudson, and the Lowell, and currently the Quabbin Regional public school systems. For two consecutive years, (2002 & 2003), Mr. Lewis was awarded certificates for his Excellence in Teaching at the Rogers Middle School in Lowell, MA. While in Hudson, Mr. Lewis was a vital part of the successful restoration of the band program, conducting a variety of ensembles including woodwind, saxophone, brass, marching, jazz, and wind ensembles. For three consecutive years, the H.O.P.E. (Hudson Organization Pro Education) Foundation recognized Mr. Lewis for his excellence in education (1998, 1999, and 2000). In the summer of 2001, Peter co-founded and directed a summer music camp for middle and high school instrumentalists entitled, The Sadie School of Music. Mr. Lewis is currently Director of Bands at the Quabbin Regional High/ Middle School. Mr. Lewis is the founder of the Peter Lewis Jazz Trio (bass), performs as a member of the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra ( principle bass). Mr. Lewis has made appearances with the Thayer Symphony Orchestra (bass) and the Worcester Jazz, Ryles Jazz and Kenny Hadley Jazz Orchestras (bass). |
